Available for iOS and Android, Express Touch is an all-new free mobile app which offers quick and simple wireless control for Pharos Express lighting installations.
This Tips & Tricks article will get you started with the Express Touch app, supported on installations running Express 1.1 or later.
On this page
Create your Express project
What you’ll need:
- Computer or laptop
- Express software (v1.1 or later)
- Express Control
Step-by-step guide:
- Download the latest version of Express software from the Express support page and install the software on your computer
- Create a new project, or open an existing project made in an earlier version of Express
- Add a Touch App to the canvas by selecting ‘Add…’ > ‘Devices’ > ‘Touch App’
- Follow the helper to configure the look, feel and functionality of the interface
- Upload your project to Express Control using the ‘Upload project…’ button
Note: if this is your first time using Express software, you may find our training videos helpful.
💡 Tip: Your project’s existing Express Touch devices can be accessed using the app. Ensure ‘Allow mobile pairing’ is enabled in the property editor when your Express Touch is selected from the ‘Network’ tab in the tools menu.
Download the App
Follow the links to download the Express Touch app on your device. Express Touch is available on iOS, iPadOS and Android for mobiles and tablets.
Pair your app
To control your lighting from Express Touch, your app needs to be paired with Express Control.
What you’ll need
- Mobile device connected to the same network as Express Control
- Express Touch app installed on your mobile device
- Express Control
Step-by-step guide
- Ensure your mobile device is connected to the same network as Express Control
- From the Express Touch app, tap ‘Pair with controller’
- Identify your Express Control from the list of discovered controllers according to its serial number, and tap to select
- From the pairing page, select ‘Authenticate using controller button or web interface’
- Express Control’s status LEDs will blink in sequence to indicate it is ready to pair, approve the pairing request using one of the two available pairing methods explained below:
Authenticate using Express Control button
Press and hold the button on Express Control for 5 seconds.
The status LEDs will blink simultaneously after 5 seconds to indicate successful pairing.
Authenticate using the web interface
Navigate to the IP address of Express Control using a web browser and click the ‘Pair’ button in the web interface.
The status LEDs will blink simultaneously after 5 seconds to indicate successful pairing.
Note: we recommend installing Express Control in a safe location and securing your web interface with a user account to prevent unauthorised pairing.
💡 Tip: The serial number of your Express Control is printed on the label on the side of the controller.
Select an interface
Once connected to Express Control, Express Touch presents a list of interfaces available on the controller.
Express Touch can connect to any interface in the project provided mobile pairing has been enabled. This allows you to use dedicated app interfaces as well as access exactly the same interfaces used for Express Touch devices in the project.
Select the interface you wish to use by tapping its name.
💡 Tip: Set an unlock code in Express software to secure individual interfaces.
Using the mobile app
Express Mobile works in exactly the same way as Express Touch devices, bringing the elegant automatically-generated interfaces to your fingertips. When used on larger devices like tablets, Express Touch utilises additional screen space to show more controls on each page.
Changes to lighting made from the Express Touch app happen immediately and are reflected live on any Express Touch devices in the project and connected Express Touch apps.
Using Express software, touch interfaces can be configured to show controls for scenes, spaces, tags and schedule according to project setup.
Troubleshooting
Some common scenarios are covered below. If you are still experiencing difficulty using the Express Touch app, please contact Support.
The Express Touch app isn’t discovering my Express Control
This happens when your mobile device can’t see Express Control on the network.
Steps to try:
- Confirm your mobile device is connected to the same network as Express Control
- Check Express Control’s network settings, following the steps in our online Help pages
My Express Control is listed, but has the label ‘Incompatible firmware’
This happens when your Express Control is online but running a firmware version older than Express 1.1.
Steps to try:
- Download the latest version of Express and perform a firmware reload from the software
- Follow the steps in our online Help pages
I see the message ‘Authentication with controller timed out’
This happens when a pairing request is not authenticated within 30 seconds of the pairing request being initiated.
Steps to try:
- Tap ‘Cancel’ and attempt pairing again
The interface I want to use is not shown
This can happen when an interface is not set to allow mobile pairing.
Steps to try:
- Ensure ‘Allow mobile pairing’ is enabled in the property editor when your Express Touch is selected from the ‘Network’ tab in the tools menu
